Need your input on these rims for autoslalom/track

[mleblond]

Hi guys,
As some of you might know I joined an auto club that does auto-slalom and Solo1 & Solo 2 competition. I am looking for wheels and tires for my speed 3.

I found out that tires for 18" are way too expensive to burn on the track. ($464 per tire for toyo Ra1's) So I am looking to down size my wheel and tire combo.

Keep in mind I would only drive them at the track so look is not what I am looking for really.

The rim I found so far that would make the most sense is the Motegi Track light 1.0 (Motegi TrakLite 1.0 - 16" x 7" - Flat Black - 42 - 5/114.3) they weight 12.1lbs and look like this.

http://www.1010tires.com//images/wheels/large/motegi_tlite_fltblk_lg_enlarge.jpg

Now from talks 16in should fit on the speed but can anyone suggest tire size for this bad boy? And do you really think it would fit? I am worried of the front caliper clearing the wheel....

Would P255/50ZR16 be too big? And should I stay within specs to the car?

[Fobio]

hey man...+1 for keeping it real fast OFF the streets!

I'm planning on tracking my car this yr, but I'm going with my 18's...however, from what I have read, you should keep a couple of things in mind:

1. Use the 1010tires.com tire calculator to compare your tire choice to spec.

2. Don't obssess over width. I'm running 235/40/18 on a 8" wheel and I think that's as wide as you should go.

3. "Ballooning" should be a concern as you're going with higher aspect ratio with 55 sidewalls. Less of an issue with drag racing as the "flex" of sidewalls does not affect launching (opinions vary), but since you're solo'ing, consider something with stffer sidewalls if you're going that route.

4. I have 16" steelies for winter, it's tight but it fits. RX7 wheels are now very cheap AND light...if you don't care about looks, I'd strongly suggest you look into those.

I don't know much so I'll be following this thread as well!

[RX9]

i will go for 235/40/17 with 17*8 offset 45. also get mid chassis brace.


http://www.streetunit.com/v/vspfiles/photos/GTS-SUS-1158-2.jpg

[mleblond]

woah that brace comes from where? Any specs? I am getting 17in wheels from blue3. Will be looking for tires soon. My next event is on the 25th.

[RX9]

woah that brace comes from where? Any specs? I am getting 17in wheels from blue3. Will be looking for tires soon. My next event is on the 25th.

you can ask pat for that. i found it from street unit around $160.

[mogul_pro]

Go to: www.streetunit.com they have a sh*t ton of braces especially for the speed3...

And you will want a 17" wheel... because if your going to track your car you will eventually want better brakes and big brake kits = 17" min.

[RX9]

if i were you, i will get FMIC and DP first, get use to the track then decide which parts need to be improved. b/c after couple runs, you will definitely feel the hp dropping and engin knocking which are bad, they will end up eat your fule pump and turbo --- very soon.

edit: i saw your sign, you dont have the motor mount yet? go get that. thats the MUST HAVE and FIRST mod imo.

[mleblond]

Thanks guys

DP + cat back is on my list and FMIC is a bit lower down the list. Right now I am taking care of wheels and tires...The AP is coming and I need the engine mount next. Only thing is I burn my pays as I go so I need to wait a month or two before I can do the big upgrades. CPE may be the only way to go if Cobb don't produce something soon.

[marteau]

why dont go whit rota splitstream 16 inch 13 lbs

[mleblond]

I am picking up rota subzeros 17in this weekend from a fellow member. And getting tires from allen at simply. Decided to go with 17 in the end... I will see how it goes.

[Fobio]

I am picking up rota subzeros 17in this weekend from a fellow member. And getting tires from allen at simply. Decided to go with 17 in the end... I will see how it goes.

Good pick up on those Rotas...when I saw them listed, I thought about you first...then I thought about how I wanted them too!

What size tires are you going with? What brand/type?

I'm running Falken RT-615's...they're quite stiff and decent on damp roads, but they aquaplane on puddles...steady-state high speed (90 - 130km) response is good...but they're not a very good passenger tire, if you know what I mean...

[mleblond]

Yeah well I will run my stock wheels for regular driving and then put the 17s when i go to the track/slalom. If they look good on the car I may keep them on but I don't really care right now about that. Also I am visiting Allen on Sunday to figure that out. 615s look good...I was thinking of getting them. i need a stiff hard wall thats for sure. like I said before the stock 18's probably lost like 40% thread in one day...that rubber really sucks!

[Fuman]

if u get RA-1s, get used ones, save yourself some money. Some people sell theirs after one or two sessions.
If you do get RA-1s, sidewall stiffness won't be an issue, you'll be fine on 16s.

[Fobio]

Fuman, those are good points to consider...where would you suggest for those tires, used?

Where do you guys suggest to get a helmet? Maybe we should start a new thread...hehe...I'm really debating whether to just get a M-rated helmet since I'll be mostly doing lapping days where helmets are optional or track school this yr...very difficult to find a decent SA2005 helmet...

[mleblond]

got my helmet for 150$ tax in at a motorsport shop. Plain black snell 2005 m full face. Good enough. Some guys in my club have the no face ones and look kind stupid imo...

[Fobio]

name of this shop? TIA

[mleblond]

no use to you it's in Kingston lol

It was a HJC black CL-15 at 134.95 + tax

http://www.motosportplus.com/

It's a pretty big shop. Let me know if you need more info :)

[Fuman]

no use to you it's in Kingston lol

It was a HJC black CL-15 at 134.95 + tax

http://www.motosportplus.com/

It's a pretty big shop. Let me know if you need more info :)

bastard that's what i got!
similar price (give or take 5 bucks)
http://www.snowcity.com/ <--where I got mine.


Fuman, those are good points to consider...where would you suggest for those tires, used?

Where do you guys suggest to get a helmet? Maybe we should start a new thread...hehe...I'm really debating whether to just get a M-rated helmet since I'll be mostly doing lapping days where helmets are optional or track school this yr...very difficult to find a decent SA2005 helmet...
supposedly you can find used RA-1s here:
http://www.casc.on.ca/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=12
good luck finding your size

if you are just having fun, even RS-As will do.

[Fobio]

So what kind of tires did you end up getting?

[mleblond]

I got used Khumo's from allen 215/50/17 I think :)

They fit fine. My next event is on the 15th of may. I will try to get pics :)

Right now they are in storage with the rota subzeros :)

[mleblond]

A quick fit/look at my wheels for track while I rotate my stock tires....
http://photos-b.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v237/9/60/692410450/n692410450_2998689_4424.jpg

[Gizzmo_jr]

What's the clearance on the calipers like?

[mleblond]

lol it's good enough ;) My steelies had next to no clearance but these are good, at least a finger :P but I need to find some lug nuts as mine are almost done from taking my wheels apart every weekend :chuckle